Youth Outreach Services, Inc. Northwest Youth Outreach

Mission:
Youth Outreach Services is a community-based social service agency. We work with communities, schools, local police, courts, other agencies, and community groups to provide a broad range of services to children, youth, and families on the west and northwest sides of Chicago and the near western suburbs. Our goal is to continue delivering services to at-risk youth with an emphasis on outreach. In addition, the Agency seeks to do the following: effectively understand the current and emerging needs of youth; deliver an array of programs and services of the highest quality that will meet the needs of children, youth, and their families; and provide leadership that results in cooperative action that benefits children and youth.

I always wanted to give back to the community of what I was once give. when I was younger I spent my time in the youth center, being mentored by youth workers, so as a teeneager at the age of 14, So when I got older I pursued my career as a youth worker. Then I got a job working with Youth Outreach Services as a receptionist, I stayed in that positon for 6 months cause I found that it was not enough for me to just be a receptionist, but I needed to be hands on with the youth. So Youth outreach gave me the opportunity to work as a Prevetion Specialist, I have been here for 8 years now, not just because its a job, but because the people that work for Youth Outreach Services really cares about the Youth. We stnad by our mission, we believe in order to make a difference we have to be the difference. Our youth come back after they have gotten older to say thanks for caring and being thier for us when no one else would..So I thank Youth Outreach for giving me to be part of a loving family.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

YOS, and the Models for Change program, are wonderful examples of how we should be helping our city's youth. By providing safe, effective alternatives to jail for teenagers, YOS helps remove the barriers that can have such a negative impact on a young person's life. This intervention allows children to develop healthy relationships, learn accountability, and dream of future success.

In providing risk management and insurance services to YOS, we are deeply involved with all aspects of their operations. From the executive leadership and permeating throughout the entire organization there is a professional dedication that cannot help but transfer as positive energy to improve their client's lives.

I have known the CEO of Youth Outreach Services for over 15 years. He has inspired his staff members with a vision to provide quality services to youth. In my professional capacity I have worked with other agencies and programs who have partnered with YOS and I have always heard complimentary remarks about the organization and the professionalism of its staff.

I have known and at times collaborated with YOS for over 10 years now, since they became involved in Multi-SystemicTherapy in our community, later offering various kinds of counseling to our youth.

I appreciate their hands-on commitment to the communities they are a part of, and to the families and youth they serve. Their services have been delivered in a professional, kind and caring manner. The families have appreciated their relationships with YOS, and the support they have felt.

I wish YOS could secure funding again to offer services in our community.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

As I said above, MultiSystemic Therapy, treating the ecology of the youth and family.
We also hosted Life Skills programs they offered some years back.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Consider their focus area -- if they are to remain in the northwest and west areas of Chicago and nearby suburbs, how can they support the development of high-quality, similar services in other parts of the city.

I have had the pleasure to work with YOS for about 3 years now. I assisted with their re-branding, and have been a strong supporter ever since. YOS provides a much needed service to Chicago youth and families.